Tribute to Dr. Frank S. Caprio(1992)

Durbin CommentA Tribute to a Great Man: Christa Hall-Sanford﻿﻿Healing Yourself with Self-Hypnosis﻿﻿Better Health with Self-HypnosisHow to Solve Your Sex Problems with Self-HypnosisCaprio on Love, Success and WisdomI Believe that the Use of Hypnosis Should NOT Be Limited to Physicians and DentistsDurbin CommentIn 1972-73, I attended four quarters of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Read Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. During that year, we had seminar of a few hour on hypnosis. It was very interesting, but I never thought that may study would go any further than that introduction presented my CPE instructor, Ray Stephens. I did buy a book titled, Helping Yourself With Self-Hypnosis by Frank S. Caprio and Joseph R. Berger and put it in my library unread. It followed me on two year military tour of Thailand, to Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and to New Orleans, La. when I got off active duty. It set on my library shelf from the time we unpacked in 1976 till a December Day in 1988 or 1989. I was at home with an unusually day off, my sons were in school, and my wife was working. I went to my library and decided that it was time to read, Helping Yourself With Self-Hypnosis by Frank S Caprio and Joseph Berger. Except for lunch, I read all day and when I finished the book, I went to two local bookstores and bought a copy of every book they had on hypnosis. I owe Frank Caprio a debt of gratitude for giving me to motivation to pursue the study of hypnosis and hypnotherapy ever sense I read his book. I read books, took hypnosis courses, workshops and seminars. I continue to study hypnosis to this day. Thank you Ray Stephens and Dr. Caprio. A Tribute to a Great Man: Christa Hall-SanfordIt is my privilege and pleasure to pay tribute to a great friend who has passed on: Dr Frank S. Caprio. I first met Dr. Caprio when I lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. One day I found a letter in my mailbox inviting me to meet him in a nearby restaurant so that we could "get to know each other". He had seen my hypnotherapy counseling service advertised in a local newspaper and felt that he would like to talk to me. That was in 1986. I had finished my training as a certified hypnotherapist with Gil Boyne of the American Council on Hypnotist Examiners in California and felt very privileged to meet this gentleman, a well known hypnotherapist and medical doctor, who was then already way into his eighties. His wife dropped him off and we had coffee together and a long chat. His clothing was impeccably clean. He wore a bow tie and suit comprising a black and white striped jacket and white trousers, and his black mustache was partially penciled in. He looked at me in a friendly open way with sharp, expressive eyes that had a humorous twinkle, and said he was "ready to share himself with a colleague". We immediately found each other approachable and, after we had both explained why we had become interested in hypnotherapy, conversation flowed. This paved the way for a long professional friendship that included the pleasures of good communication, mutual appreciation and an acceptance of our differences. After our first meeting Dr. Caprio invited my daughter, my mother who was visiting from Austria, and I to his home: a lovely big eighth-floor apartment in a block that was right on the Intercostals. He and his lovely wife Louise continued to include me in informal talks with their circle of friends and to invite us for more formal suppers, where Louise would impress her guests with her culinary ability and warm hospitality. Dr. Caprio felt most comfortable in his little "niche," a private and special place next to the lounge, with stacks of books against the wall, papers, articles and a typewriter. He often mentioned that he would like to write a book together with me. He claimed that the most misunderstood area in our time among the general public was sexual immaturity. "We are all victims of sexual immaturity because of the confusion that exists regarding sex in relation to love," he said. He showed me statistics, which stated that one million American women admit that they find sex unsatisfying or physically distasteful, and that women in only one marriage in ten enjoy a satisfactory sexual experience. He believed this was because most sex education deals specifically with anatomy, techniques and the clinical aspects of sex. He said sex is one expression of one's basic personality and needs. It can either represent the gratification of a physical desire per se (sex for the sake of it) or what is more desirable: a body-soul expression of love. The two great enemies of sexual maturity in marriage are ignorance and the wrong attitude, he said. He insisted that an ideal sex-love relationship does not just happened. It is the product of intelligent study, careful planning and, above all, love on the part of both husband and wife. We talked about Freud, discussing the differences or similarities between his and Dr Caprio's own findings, and also spoke about the Oedipus-Electra complex, and other topics. In many ways Dr. Frank Caprio was right in the views he expressed verbally and in his book Sex & Love. But from a woman's intuitive side, he was also wrong (he could be a bit chauvinistic!) Considering the changes that have come about in recent years, he was probably more right than wrong. Today it is recognized that most clients seek solution in hypnotherapy experience problems as a result of sexual issues like rape, fondling, criticism or insecurity about the male or female growing up experience. In most cases, their problems stem from sexual abuse by fathers, stepfathers, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, classmates or others. Most of the difficulties that people try to hide have a common denominator like "shame." Dr. Caprio's views, expressed during our conversations about this issue, will always be there for me like a shining light in the dark in this often unexplored area. During the course of my counseling in private practice as a hypnotherapist, his views have also given me much insight about the importance of "sex-love" education in early stages of life, before puberty. Hypnotists like Dr. Frank Caprio never die: he has just relaxed himself away and passed on over. In his book which he gave me on 18 June, 1992 when I visited Florida, he wrote: To Christa: With oceans of love. Frank. P.S. Keep Happy: Thank you, Frank. I am still taking your advice. I am happy, with oceans of love! I would like to share a handout with you that I got from Frank Caprio: Take Control of Your Life: By Frank S. Caprio, M.D. Note: Here are 14 self-improvement rules to follow and live by that will guarantee you a happier and more successful way of life. Jot them down on a card or notebook and carry them with you wherever you go. Refer to them as frequently as you desire. I am determined to survive whatever disappointments and setbacks come my way. I am convinced that I can never solve my problems by running away from them. I am going to find happiness in the joy of accomplishments. I am going to have people accept me for what I am rather than for what I pretend to be. I am not going to take my problems so seriously that I lose my will to live. I am going to learn to laugh more. Laughter will make my life more endurable. I am never going to lose my zest for living. Live is beautiful despite all its imperfections. I know that life is what I make it. I can be a winner or loser. The choice is mine. I am going to control my emotions, reminding myself that it is better to love than to hate. I am going to develop a positive image of myself. I am going to have compassion for my fellowman and abide by the Golden Rule - doing unto others as I would want them to do unto me. I am going to believe in my potential. Self-confidence is necessary for success and happiness. I will never abandon my faith in myself, faith in a Higher Power and faith in mankind. I plan to take control of my life, avoiding anything that is harmful to my health and well-being.Healing Yourself with Self-HypnosisSELF-HYPNOSIS: You will begin to believe in yourself, acquire
confidence you never had before. For the first time in your life you will
experience a feeling of self-importance. Thinking positively about yourself is
the first step in any self-improvement program. In becoming a new person you
will begin to develop normal self-love, self-respect, self-confidence and inner
contentment. Your future will depend on this inner self -the way you think about
yourself. You cannot expect self-hypnosis to do wonderful things for you unless
you first succeed in liking yourself-the new self-the self you want to be. The
achievement of this first goal will lead to the successful attainment of other
equally important goals. (p. 5)"A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine." We can
paraphrase it by saying, Life without love is like a flower without fragrance.
Love is the elan vital of life; love is the reison d'etre of life
- the motivation behind everything that is good in the world. Love-happiness
means life-happiness. Love is something you can develop, acquire, possess. It is
a feeling hat you can experience by planting the seeds of love in your mind, in
your thinking, in everything you do. Love is an attitude of mind which you can
develop through self-hypnosis. Learn to think love in your mind and you will
feel love in your heart. (p. 8-9)Self-hypnosis is a technique or method of utilizing the power of your own
mind for self-improvement. It is a new approach to the solution of common
everyday problems. Once you have mastered the techniques of self-hypnosis you
will be able to give yourself whatever specific constructive suggestions you
desire to accept and follow. Self-hypnosis will enable you to: (1) Think
your morbid fears away. (2) Achieve a fuller, richer life. (3) Enjoy
better physical and mental health. (4) Develop self-sufficiency and
self-hypnotic confidence. (5) Plan wisely. (6) Make your
subconscious mind work for you. (7) Acquire a deeper understanding of
your inner self. (8) Alleviate tension.(9) Break undesirable
habits. (10) Attain a nature sense of values. (11) Become the kind
of person you want to be.(12) Improve your love life. (p. 10)Hypnosis: (1) Hypnosis represents a dream-like state, produced by the
hypnotist in a subject (the person being hypnotized). It can also be
self-induced. (2) It represents a voluntary acceptance of a suggestion by
a subject in a hypnotic state. (3) Hypnotism refers to the actual science
and art of inducing a state of heightened suggestibility in a subject. (4) The
phenomenon of hypnosis operates on the principle that the resultant state
increases the subject's susceptibility to suggestion. (5) Hypnosis
entails a willingness to be hypnotized, acceptance of suggestion, motivation and
confidence in your hypnotist. (6) Hypnosis and sleep are not the same. (7)
Hypnotic phenomena can be demonstrated in almost everyone. (8) Many
of us unknowingly have been applying the principles of self-hypnosis in everyday
life. (9) Self-hypnosis is a technique or method of putting oneself into
a suggestible state and giving oneself and accepting constructive and helpful
suggestions uncritically. The subject is in control at all time, before, during,
and after the state. (10) Self-hypnosis means self-mastery, a short-cut
to self-improvement and successful living. (p. 24)Mind-Body: (1) Repeat to yourself over and over again that what the
mind causes the mind can cure and that you can prevent emotionally
induced illness using the techniques of self-hypnosis. (2) Suggest to
yourself daily that you are capable of helping yourself with self-hypnosis, of
solving your everyday problems. (3) Self-evaluation through autoanalysis
or self-analysis is the first step to emotional well-being and everyday
problems. (4) The effect you expend in achieving self-understanding will
be well rewarded. Your understanding of some of the root-causes of your fears
and anxieties will hell in overcoming your problem. (5) Use the
introspection you acquire through self-analysis to benefit you, not harm you.
Don't misuse your insight by letting it depress you. Instead, let it improve
your thinking about everything. (6) Convince yourself that it takes more
than multicolored pills to cure yourself of emotional ills. It requires the
intelligent application of self-knowledge and the repeated practice of
self-discipline. (7) Never doubt the fact that you can change and improve
with self-hypnosis. (8) The benefits from self-hypnosis need not be
temporary. You can give yourself as many self-hypnotic or reinforced sessions as
you need, and as often as you need them. (p. 39)The Worry Habit and What You Can Do About It: (1) Excessive worrying
about anything is an acquired habit. Worry isn't a trait you inherited. If we
are around people who worry too much we are inclined to develop the same habit.
Parents who are fearful generally project anxiety and fears onto their children.
When the children grow up they find themselves imitating their parents. Worry is
contagious. You don't have to imitate a neurotic's way of thinking. (2) Excessive
worrying doesn't solve your problem. Making yourself sick over something only
makes the matter worse. (3) Chronic worrying is a symptom of insecurity -
evidence of a lack of self-worth. (4) The worry habit is like any other
habit -that can be conquered if once you make up your mind. (5) Remind
yourself that worry is a dissipation of nervous energy. It is fatigue-producing
- health-destroying. (6) Try to analyze and understand the problem you
are worrying about and what causes it, using the technique of self-hypnotic
self-analysis. (p. 116) (7) Devote your energy to working out ways of
solving the problem. Doing something about something is more intelligent than
worrying and doing nothing about it. (p.116-117) (8) Some people aren't
happy unless the have something to worry about. Psychiatrists refer to them as
masochists. They seem to enjoy negative thinking - only because they are in
ignorance of the far greater joy that comes with mental control. Tell yourself
hat you are not going to become one of those masochistic worriers. (9) Profit
by what George Hawkes, a former Dean of Columbia College, Columbia University,
wrote. He counseled almost a fifth of a million students who came to him with
their troubles. "Half of the worry in the world is caused by people who try
to make a decision before they have sufficient knowledge on which to make a
decision. If a man will devote his time to securing all the facts related to his
problem his worries will usually evaporate in the light of knowledge."Anger, hate, selfishness, fear, suspicion, vanity, jealousy, are
emotions that can make you sick. They cause "emotional intoxication,"
which dissipates your mental energy. In an article entitled, "Cancer and
Your Emotions" (Cosmopolitan April, 1960), the author, T. F. James,
reports that grief, depression, hostility, anger and aggressiveness seem to
influence one's susceptibility to cancer. He found that many cancer patients
have a certain type of personality-profile and that emotional stress plays a
significant role in the development of the disease. (p. 122)

Hate is the very "stuff" of which unhappiness is made. People who hate, hate themselves for hating. The antidote to hate is love. It is the most powerful emotion you possess. Hate is the opposite of love. There are many who do not like to be accused of hating because it causes them to feel guilty. A more acceptable term is hostility. It carries a less derogatory connection. In its broadest meaning, hostility includes resentments, sadistic humor, unfounded accusations, gossip, intolerance, nagging, argumentativeness and , of course, acts of valence. (p. 47) People hate because of fear. They fear death, God, people, and the greatest fear of all - the fear of fear itself. Hate induces anger which in turn may lead to a crime of passion. Hate is habit-forming. Riots are often incited by hate. When we hate ourselves, we hate others. When others hate us, we in turn hate them. Hating others is followed by subconscious feelings of guilt which lead to self-hatred. Self-hatred is capable of producing serious health complications. A person who suffers from high blood pressure surely doesn't benefit from feelings of hatred, and spells of anger. Hate is an ulcer-producing emotion. It can cause headaches, and nervous skin rashes, can take away your appetite, keep you awake at night, cause your marriage to suffer, jeopardize your job, and alienate you from your fiends. Hate make you tense. Love makes you relax. (p. 4(0 A positive philosophy incorporates the idea of a purpose of living, a faith in a Higher Power, greater than man, an appreciation of the wonders of the universe, a joy of life. It fosters human understanding, growth of personality, unselfishness, and serenity through freedom from guilt, fear, anxiety, and hate. It acknowledges the imperfections and frailties of human nature, enables us to develop a realistic understanding of their origin and inspires a desire for a more positive lifestyle. (p. 153)

In his recent comprehensive book, Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, Dr. William S. Kroger writes: Platonov, an associate of Pavlov, who used hypnosis for over 50 years in over 50,000 cases, reports as follows: "We have never observed any harmful influence on the patient which could be ascribed to the method of hypnosuggestive therapy, presumably leading to the development of an unstable personality, which slavish subordination, weaken of the will, increase in suggestibility, pathological urge for hypnosis." (p. 27-28) Julius Grinker stated: "The so-called dangers from hypnotism are imaginary. Although I have hypnotized hundreds of patients, I have never sen any ill effects from its use." Bernhiem, Liebault, Ford, Weterstand and a host others who have practiced suggestive methods in thousands of instances have had similar experiences. Pierre Janet, who first opposed hypnosis and later became an ardent advocate, said, "The only danger to hypnosis is that it is not dangerous enough." Occasionally, some will ask, "Is there any danger that I will go under hypnosis while driving, when I hear or say the key word?" You only go under hypnosis when you wish to do so. It is a consent state. Melvin Powers compares it to listening to music. You can dance to music or enjoy listening to it while remaining stationary, but are not forced to react to it. (p. 2)Precautions to observe: Just as you wouldn't try to cure yourself of pneumonia appendicitis or any other major illness that requires the services of a physician, you wouldn't try to use self-hypnosis if you suspected your headache were caused by a brain tumor, or your chronic sought was a sign of the beginning of tuberculosis. "How can I tell when or when not to use hypnosis?", you may ask. To dispel all doubts as to the cause of your symptoms, see your doctor. Oftentimes you see on a box of pill that you are able to purchase without a prescription: "If your cold persists, see your physician." or " you don't experience relief of symptoms, consult your doctor. (p. 28-29)Relaxation not pills: Many business executives give themselves a hundred reasons why they have no time to rest or relax. Housewives have just as many excuses. These same people ask me: "What can I do for nervous tension? Can you prescribe a tranquilizer for me that will calm me?" I usually tell them that tranquilizers no doubt useful in many instances, but pharmaceutical relaxation, chemical sedation, drug-induced tranquility - whatever you wish to call it - is never the same as natural relaxation. Sleeping pills and tranquilizers are merely crutches. It is wiser to teach yourself to relax and sleep well without the aid of multi-colored pills. (p. 32)Impotence: Perhaps the most comprehensive description of impotence is one formulated by the late Dr. Benjamin Karpman, who was one of the foremost authorities on the subject: "He is impotent in whom, for whatever reason, the desire fro the opposite sex is absent or is so week as to never result in any attempt toward meeting the partner, and he is also impotent who although willing, midway creates obstacles of his own which prevent him from realizing the original attempt. He is impotent who with a strong erection is unable to realize the act because the rapid precipitation of the orgasm, and he is doubly important whose erection is confined to small degree of function or who can neither erect nor get pleasure out of it, that is is anesthetic. He is impotent in whom the climax, instead of producing the tremendous sensation that normally is orgasm, is followed by the absence of the same or by an indefinite, tasteless, and sometimes painful, even agonizing sensation. He is impotent in whom the urge asserts itself with relative rarity and, strangely enough, we must also regarded as impotent the man who , driven by an obscure and insatiable sexual urges, repeats the act with great excess and in frequent secession, thus revealing a fundamental lack of satisfaction with each act; for it is the nature of the sexual act, as it is with other physical processes, that too much reach a point of saturation followed by a period of physiological relaxation, which period must increase the length as the frequency of the act is repeated. And finally he is impotent who, although have performed the act with apparent satisfaction, finds himself on its completions unsatisfied and unrelieved." (p. 115-116)Causes of impotence reactions:(1) inhibitory influences, (2) Bashfulness, (3) Sexual ignorance, (4) Fear, (5) Guilt feelings, (6) Disgust, (7) Unhappiness, (8) Sadden indisposition, (9) Inability to love, (10) Insecurity, (11) Faulty attitudes toward sex, (12) Self-pity, (13) Masochism or physchio invalidism, (14) Homosexual repressions, (15) Bisexual conflicts, (16) Penis inferiority, (17) Fear of causing a woman pain, (18) Fear of making a woman pregnant, (19) Dislike for contraceptives, (20) Sadism (desire to punish partner), (21) Preoccupation with fantasies involving sexual deviations, (22) Incestuous attachment to a mother or sister, (23) Fallacies about masturbation, (24) Fear of being seen or interrupted during the sex act, (25) Conflicts involving religious or parental censure, (26) Jealousy, (27) Hostility, (28) Miscellaneous other causes.(p. 128-129)Definition of frigidity: Frigidity is an overall term for sexual inadequacy in the female. It does not necessarily imply "sexual coldness" or "sexual indifference." It is an unfortunate term because many women harbor various misconceptions regarding its true meaning. It is a complex problem insofar as a woman may desire sex, be passionate, find the sex act pleasant and still suffer from frigidity. It is actually a symptom-disturbance in the psychosexual development of women, causing them to find it difficult to achieve an orgasm during sexual intercourse. (p. 123)Types of frigidity: Some women are under the impression that is abnormal to enjoy sex. They were brought up to believe that anything connected with sex was sordid, that woman submitted themselves sexually to the husband as a duty. This has been the result of taboos placed on sex facts from their parents. The denial of their sexual cravings causes frigidity in many instances. (p. 124) A virgin bride may be unable to achieve an orgasm during the sex act only because of pain resulting from the husband's attempt to penetrate a thick hymen. This is usually a temporary kind of frigidity and she may be able to experience sexual satisfaction when the pain and discomfort subside and she becomes physically accustomed to the sex act. There are women other than virgin brides who because of some organic condition of the pelvic organs find sexual intercourse painful and consequently unable to attain orgasm. Dyspareunia (pain experienced during sexual relations) may require the attention of a gynecologist. Relative frigidity occurs among women who are unable to experience a sexual climax because their husbands are clumsy and awkward or unable to sustain an erection or suffer from premature or hasty ejaculation. Very often when the husband's potency is restored, the wife is able to experience sexual satisfaction. Some investigators feel that with a few exceptions, there are no frigid women. There are only those who are sexually immature and ignorant and men who are inexperienced and selfish. Many women are unable to respond successfully because they are preoccupied with a fear of becoming pregnant. They claim that they are unable to relax during coitus. These women become sexually adequate when the fear of pregnancy is eliminated. The term pseudo-frigidity refers to sexual unresponsiveness caused by inhibitions, prudishness, false modest or sexual ignorance. With proper re-education of their attitudes, they can develop the capacity to achieve coital orgasms. (p. 124)

Caprio on Love, Success and WisdomThe Meaning of Success: Success is more than achieving
Fame or the accumulation of Wealth. Success entails organized thinking,
successful self management, successful planning. Success means making the most
of your potentials. Success is something that begins with your inner self, a
feeling of self-confidence, a willingness to do your best in anything you
undertake. Success means perseverance, becoming a "doer" instead of a
"dreamer". Success implies having a mature sense of values,
health-intelligence, doing everything in moderation, living in balance. Success
means helping others achieve success. Success means prosperity, economic
security combined with integrity. Success is synonymous with optimism, faith in
yourself and in a Higher Power. Success includes self-respect. Success means the
determination to profit from past mistakes. Success is wisdom, peace of mind,
serenity, inner happiness and self-satisfaction. Success is a reverence for
life, a love of mankind. Success means using time wisely. Success means self
discipline, making self improvement a way of life. Success means self-discovery,
getting along with others, becoming the kind of person you want to. Success is
the ability to love, to accept love and share love. Success is the REFUSAL TO BE
UNHAPPY, that you are MASTER OF YOUR FATE and life with all its complications
and imperfections is worth THE PRICE OF LIVING.I Believe that the Use of Hypnosis Should NOT Be Limited to Physicians and DentistsHypnosis is a rapidly growing specialty. In 1958 there were no more than two
hundred dentists and physicians in the United States using hypnosis. There is at
the present time a minimum of 15,000 dentists and physicians using hypnosis.
Most of the instruction in hypnosis is now being given by teams of traveling
dentists and physicians who offer three-and four-day and one-week post-graduate
courses in dental and medical hypnosis. These courses are open to practicing
dentists and physicians and persons in related fields.
I believe that the use of hypnosis should not be limited to physicians and
dentists. It is a proven fact that many qualified and ethical hypno-technicians
are capable of achieving successful therapeutic results.
Lectures regarding hypnosis and self-hypnosis. should be made available to the
general public. The inestimable value of self-hypnosis should inspire everyone
to apply self-hypnosis to day-to-day self-improvement.
Hypnosis and self-hypnosis are gaining increasing importance in the lives of all
human beings. The potentials are unlimited. I predict hypnosis will become a
great force for the prevention of wars. War is a form of insanity, caused by
hate sickness, irrational fears, uncontrolled aggressiveness, and unresolved
conflicts arising from religious and other differences which account for the
widespread violence we are presently witnessing. Hypnosis is based on the
control of man's intellect over his emotions. Man's greatest triumph some day
will be the conquest of himself so that he may teach others it is better to love
than to hate.
It was J .B.S. Haldane, British scientist, who substantiated this when he
stated: (182) "Anyone who has seen even a single example of the power of
hypnosis and suggestion must realize that the face of the world and the
possibilities of existence will be totally altered when we control their effects
and standardize their application."